Marijuana

Drug Awareness Assignment

Marijuana

Drug Awareness Assignment

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a dried, shredded flower with leaves of a hemp plant. There is over 200 terms used for marijuana. Some are pot, weed, grass, and dope. The main ingredient in marijuana is Tetra hydrocannabinol, otherwise known as (THC). The THC in marijuana has been increasing since the 1970's. Today, marijuana contains 10 percent more THC than it did in the 1970's. It can be detected approximately 45-60 days after being consumed. It can be found in your blood, urine and saliva. It can also be used for medical reasons such as anti-depressants, relaxation pills and seizures. Marijuana changes how the brain work. It was discovered in a Chinese medical reference in 2737B.C. It than spread from China to India, from India to North Africa and from North Africa to Europe as early as 500A.D.

What are Some Possible Side Effects?

When it comes to side effects, it could be long or short term. It depends on the user’s previous experience, how strong the marijuana is (how much THC it has), how the marijuana is taken, where the drug is used and whether the user is drinking alcohol or using other drugs. Some short term side effects are red eyes, dry mouth/throat, increased appetite, and loss of coordination and slowed reaction time. Some long term side effects can include the risk of cancer, weakened immune system, damage to lung/airway and mental health problems. For teens, it can cause permanent memory, learning, perception, and impulse control problems because it kills the cells in their developing brain. For pregnant women, it could effect how the baby's brain cells are wired, increase a child's risk of having cognitive deficits or psychiatric disorders, seek for more drugs, anxiety, and depression as they grow older, as well as under weight at birth, damage the development of their nervous system, increase of emotions and trouble learning. if an athlete takes marijuana, it could effect their performance, reaction time, co-ordination, etc. Not only that, but according to certain sport regulations, it is not allowed to be taken. In other words, they can be suspended or completely kicked out of the sports league. But now, not that many sport corporations are against it.

Trouble Learning

Premature and Under Weight Birth

NFL Allow Players to Smoke Marijuana

Trouble Learning

Premature and Under Weight Birth

NFL Allow Players to Smoke Marijuana

Legal implications

The possession of any amount of marijuana is illegal all over Canada. You do not need to own the marijuana, if you are caught with it or it is found in a place you own like your house or car you will be arrested. If you had less than 30 grams of marijuana, the maximum penalties are a fine of $1000 or 6 months in jail, or both. It can prevent you from traveling to other countries, getting certain jobs, and applying for citizenship. Your sentence depends on what you do with it. Either posses it, sell it, or grow it. You could get up to 3 years for being caught with it for a third time. Selling 1000 kg or more can get you 10 years to life in prison and a million dollar fine but selling it to a minor would be double the penalty. For growing 1000 or more plants can also get you 10 years to life in prison with a million dollar fine.

Can Be Sent to Prison

Having to Pay for A Fine

Can Cause Death

Can Be Sent to Prison

Having to Pay for A Fine

Can Cause Death

Amount of People Hospitalized in Canada From 1995-2010

This chart shows the amount of hospitalizations related to marijuana over the course of 14 years. 8078 people were hospitalized just in 2013 alone. In the total 14 years, 64,045 people were hospitalized due to marijuana. Today, those numbers still continue to increase.